Tickets are on sale now for Lincoln Center’s 23rd season of Midsummer Night Swing taking place every Tuesday through Saturday, June 28—July 16, with an added opening event on Monday, June 27th.

Swing’s 16 dazzling nights of dancing will take place at the band shell in Damrosch Park, on West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. A new dance floor, tested by professional dance instructors and Midsummer Night Swing regulars, has been installed this season, providing a greatly improved surface for all types of dancing.

The 2011 season of Midsummer Night Swing represents the 18th year of generous support for social dancing at Lincoln Center by Daisy and Paul Soros. This is the first year of sponsorship by Macy’s. “As New York’s iconic department store, Macy’s is thrilled to sponsor one of New York’s most quintessential events of the summer season,” says Patti Lee, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Macy’s Herald Square. Midsummer Night Swing brings the city to its feet at Lincoln Center as it showcases the spirit of dance with Broadway as its backdrop. Summer in the City will be even more magical for New Yorkers and tourists alike as we celebrate Midsummer Night Swing at our Macy’s Herald Square store with window displays and special in-store events. We look forward to this season’s line-up and our continued partnership with Lincoln Center.”

Midsummer Night Swing offers an array of dance music styles including salsa, swing, disco, tango, gypsy jazz and Irish folk dance. A tribute to the dance history-making TV show Soul Train on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary will happen on June 28th, when saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and trombonist Fred Wesley – famous for their work with James Brown – perform along with special guests Martha High and Fred Ross. Original Soul Train dancer Tyrone Proctor will be the dance instructor, and the legendary Biz Markie will deejay a set guaranteed to get the crowd bumpin’. The evening will also showcase video clips from the show that changed forever the way America dances.

Each evening of Midsummer Night Swing is a ticketed event, with a special, free, ticketed event opening the season on Monday, June 27th. The night begins with a dance lesson at 6:30 pm for all levels with some of New York’s foremost instructors. Lessons are included in the price of admission. Live music and dancing is at 7:30 pm until 10 pm. All events take place on an elevated dance floor in Damrosch Park.

New this year: In an effort to be “in concert” with the nightly programming of Midsummer Night Swing, Restaurant Associates has developed a new Street Food BBQ program for Damrosch Park created by their very own celebrity chef, Ed Brown (Ed’s Chowder House, “Iron Chef”). In addition, they will offer nightly food and cocktail specials inspired by the country or region of the performers. For example, a New Orleans specialty such as jambalaya might be offered the night the Palmetto Bug Stompers perform, or grilled carne asada when Aurora y Zon el Barrio take the stage. Prices will be under $10.

Tickets and passes are on sale now. Multi-evening Swing Passes are priced at $90 for six nights, and $160 for the full season. Tickets for individual evening events are $17. The Swing box office is located in the lobby of Avery Fisher Hall, Broadway and 65th Street. Tickets for individual events and passes can be purchased in advance at the Avery Fisher box office or beginning at 5:30 pm on the night of the event at a box office in Damrosch Park. All major credit cards will be accepted. Tickets and passes can also be purchased through CenterCharge, 212-721-6500, or by logging on to www.MidsummerNightSwing.org. ‘)}